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Moreton marathon man smashes another record

THE godfather of marathon running is enjoying a double celebration after smashing another staggering world record.

Steve Edwards, who works for Campden BRI, not only won last week's 'Enigma Week at The Knees' event in Milton Keynes, but managed to run to run all seven marathons in seven days in an average time of three hours, 22 minutes and 13 seconds.

The 51-year-old also smashed the world record for running the fastest times in the veteran 50 age category.

And his efforts have raised more than £5,000 for Stow-based Kate’s Home Nursing, which provides care for people in the final stages of a terminal illness.

Supported all the way by his wife Teresa and cheered on by members of his running club, Bourton Roadrunners, the grandfather-of-three is now recovering after completing the challenge yesterday (Sunday).

"I'm bruised, battered and sore," he said. "I've come away exceeding expectations with the fundraising as well, I think it's been very successful.

"I just can't believe it. It's amazing what you can do and get your body to do. It was tough. It was hard work. You go through real highs and lows all the time but I enjoyed it."

To build up the mileage for the event, the grandfather-of-three ran 800 miles over the last 12 weeks and built up his calorie intake to about 7,000 a day.

The event was not all plain sailing for him after he fell on the sixth day and suffered a painful injury to his calf muscle and cuts to his leg, arm and knee.

But luckily a physiotherapist was on hand to patch him up and he managed to carry on and finish all seven races.

And donations continued to pour in while he was running each day, with last week alone raising £2,000.

"A big thank you to everybody who's donated," he added. "We've been overwhelmed with everybody's generosity."

Mr Edwards, who completed his lifelong dream of running 500 marathons in under three-and-a-half hours, in November 2012, said he is now going to have a week off before preparing for his next events.

He is taking part in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 6 followed by the London Marathon on April 13.